Keely's Story
My sister gave me WithinReach’s 1-800 number. So I called and described my situation as a single, self-employed piano teacher. How can I have a baby? Read more or watch Keely's story.
Hotline Highlights
These stories have been shared by the WithinReach hotline staff members.
Kayla
“I used to be a cashier and I'm familiar with how WIC checks work...I just didn't know how to get on the program.”
Kayla called to find out if she qualified for WIC — a program providing food assistance and nutritional support to pregnant women and mothers with young children. She was 6 months pregnant, working full time and making $12.00 an hour. She was excited to learn that she was within the income guideline. I referred her to the nearest WIC office where she could enroll. Then I asked her if she would be interested in applying for pregnancy health coverage since she qualified for that as well. “That would be a big help!” she said. I referred her to our website, ParentHelp123.org, where she could fill out an application.
Mary
“Maybe you know something about this other issue I am having.”
Mary from Spokane called to see if she could get a developmental screening for her 3-year-old because he wasn’t talking yet. After I connected Mary to her local school’s special education department, I asked if there was anything else she needed help with. There was a short pause before she told me that she just found out that her newborn is tongue tied and that it is interfering with breastfeeding. I was able to consult with our Breastfeeding Coalition Manager for a referral to a physician in Spokane who specializes in dealing with this issue. This call demonstrated our ability to connect clients, throughout Washington, to their local resources, as well as being able to address two very different concerns that this mom had in one phone call.
Seamus
“I need food for my family!”
When I answered the Family Food Hotline, a worried father was on the other end of the line. Seamus and his wife have both been laid off from their jobs. Seamus has been doing odd jobs to support his family of four, but is only earning about $500 per month. Based on his income, it was clear that his family would qualify for the Basic Food (Food Stamps) program. I offered to send him the application, but he wondered if there was a faster way. “We really need food now,” he said. I gave him the location and phone number for his nearest CSO (Community Service Office) so that he could apply directly. I also gave him information about local food banks that could help him.
Keely
My sister gave me WithinReach’s 1-800 number. So I called and described my situation as a single, self-employed piano teacher. How can I have a baby? If I hadn’t gotten State (Pregnancy Medical) coverage through WithinReach, I honestly don’t know how we would have had the baby. Even now with Joey and I being married – Joey’s a mechanic so there’s still no way we could have afforded to have her. That first moment that Joey and I were there with her – that was pretty amazing! That realization – oh my gosh, this is our baby! It was pretty incredible.
A lot of people need that face of someone that’s really in poverty, so it’s really clear that they need help, but I would hope that I can be just an example of someone and give them a real face to think about, you know, as a middle class person. There are lots of things that middle class people and families can struggle with as well and it’s not wrong to reach out or ask for that help.
- Keely, Family Health Hotline Caller